Winsome Pinnock on writing 'Leave Taking'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use Winsome Pinnock’s comments to understand how her experiences and research shaped 'Leave Taking'.
Key learning points
- Pinnock explains how her upbringing in London and Jamaican heritage shaped her ideas about identity and belonging.
- Pinnock describes how her love of theatre and working with others at the Royal Court inspired her as a playwright.
- Pinnock shows that writing a play involves research, observation, mentoring, and learning the craft.
- Pinnock demonstrates that passion and authenticity in a play, whether classic or new, engage the audience.
- 'Leave Taking' continues to be read and perhaps better understood decades later, showing the lasting impact of her work.
Keywords
Playwright - the person who writes a play
Intergenerational conflict - disagreements or misunderstandings between older and younger generations
Legacy - the lasting impact or things a person leaves behind for others, even after they are gone
Writer-in-residence - a writer invited to work at a theatre (or institution) to observe, create, and develop their work
Precarious - not secure or safe; likely to change and uncertain
Common misconception
'Leave Taking' was written about the Windrush scandal.
Pinnock explains that she wrote 'Leave Taking' decades before the Windrush scandal, but some themes, like the precarious position of immigrants, happened to resonate with contemporary events when the play was revived.
Teacher tip
You may wish to consider the timing of this lesson. Each learning cycle can be taught as a standalone lesson if needed. This will ensure there is enough time to watch and fully engage with each of the videos.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Is the statement true or false? A theme in a play is the same as a character.
Q2.Which of the following are key themes in 'Leave Taking'?
Q3.When was 'Leave Taking' first performed?
Q4.Which of the following was groundbreaking about the 1994 National Theatre production of 'Leave Taking'?
Q5.Match the term with its correct description.
a major division of a play
a division within an act, often changing time or place
instructions for actors on movement or tone
the words characters speak aloud
the central idea or message in a play
Q6.Is the statement true or false? 'Leave Taking' is about Caribbean immigrants’ experiences in London and still resonates today.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is an example of intergenerational conflict explored in 'Leave Taking'?
Q2.Which of the following best describes why Pinnock was inspired to write 'Leave Taking'?
Q3.Which of the following things helped Pinnock develop her skills as a playwright?
Q4.Is the statement true or false? Pinnock had no difficulties when she first started writing 'Leave Taking'.
Q5.Is the statement true or false? 'Leave Taking' is better understood today because its themes of migration and identity still resonate, particularly with contemporary events like the Windrush scandal.
Q6.What does Winsome Pinnock mean by a “mobile production” in theatre?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Winsome Pinnock on writing 'Leave Taking', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Winsome Pinnock on writing 'Leave Taking', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Leave Taking: a sense of belonging unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.